It Saddens Me, But, This Needs To be Posted...

AP ^ | 11/26/01

[beowolf]

Catholic Archbishop Ward Resigns

By Associated Press

October 26, 2001, 11:43 AM EDT

CARDIFF, Wales -- The Catholic archbishop of Cardiff, who has been accused of ignoring warnings that two priests were molesting children, has retired after offering his resignation to the Vatican, the church announced Friday.

The Most Rev. John Aloysius Ward met last week with Pope John Paul II, who accepted the resignation.

He will be replaced by the bishop of east Anglia, Peter Smith. In December, Ward became ill and his duties were taken by an apostolic administrator, the Right Rev. Edwin Regan, bishop of Wrexham. Ward, 72, has insisted he did nothing wrong in supporting the Rev. Joe Jordan and Rev. John Lloyd despite warnings about both men.

He ordained Jordan in 1998, knowing that Jordan had been tried and acquitted of assaulting a young boy. Last year, Jordan was sentenced to eight years in jail for indecent assaults on two 9-year-olds after he was ordained, and for assaulting a 12-year-old boy in the 1980s.

Lloyd, one of Ward's close colleagues, was jailed for eight years in 1998 for pedophile offenses.

Ward said he resigned only because he feared his health could again deteriorate.

"I am weary of an environment characterized by a lack of loyalty," he said in a statement.

"I have been shocked and deeply hurt by those sections of the media and members of the Catholic Church who did their utmost to attack me when I was struck down by illness." Copyright © 2001, The Associated Press

[beowolf]

My comments are encompassed by the title....with the exception of the ones that I highlighted.

When a person confuses personal loyalty with covering up this abomination...he should have been fired, not allowed to resign.

I really don't want any replies, the situation simply needs to be noted....somewhere. This is a personal failing on this guy's fault...no different from Xlinton's...they should both pay the price, IMHO.

Regards,

[Gordian Blade]

It's very difficult when clergy go astray. We had to remove a pastor and an assistant pastor from our church in less than a year for separate (unrelated) sex-related transgressions.

[Theresa]

"This is a personal failing on this guy's fault...no different from Xlinton's...they should both pay the price, IMHO. "

Well the Bishop was foolish and wrong to ordain that fellow. However it was not the Bishop who molested the kids. I have no sympathy for Bishops who don't protect thier flocks from child molesters.

[concerned about politics]

Too bad liberalism is allowed in the church around the children.
There was a time when these people would be asked to find another church, or repent.
Never before in history has the church yeiled to political correctness over the Bible.
It is sad, but the Bible warned us those days would come. Here they are!

[anniegetyourgun]

Yes, those days are here.

[Cicero]

The good news is that the Church is finally starting to deal with these matters. The Archbishop has been deservedly canned.

[beowolf]

As a product of a mixed religious marriage, I was raised as a Catholic, as was the practice of the time.

Though I am no longer a Catholic, in my own (and I am sure in the church's consideration) life. From my own upbringing, experience, and respect for the rest of my family, I still have a very great respect for the church.

Hence, the title, and my true-felt consideration for the topic.

Regards,